Jimmy’s on a roll

Jimmy Alapag made a name for himself as a 13-year PBA veteran with six championships, two Finals MVP awards, an MVP accolade, two 3-Point Shootout titles and the 2003 Rookie of the Year trophy. Now, after a stint as an assistant coach with the Stockton Kings in the NBA G-League and player development coach with the Sacramento Kings in the NBA, Alapag is back in the PBA, this time making a name for himself as head coach with the NLEX Road Warriors.

Alapag, 48, is turning heads on his first conference piloting NLEX. The Road Warriors are 4-0 in the Governors’ Cup, the only unbeaten team. It’s interesting that Alapag took over the helm from Jong Uichico who remains on the coaching staff as an assistant. In 2002, Uichico was the Philippine national coach who invited Alapag to join the team tryouts with Asi Taulava, Olsen Racela, Johnny Abarrientos, Boyet Fernandez and Eric Menk. It was Uichico’s mentor Ron Jacobs who first saw Alapag’s potential and encouraged him to apply for the PBA draft. So Uichico and Alapag go back a long way.

Uichico, 64, is a nine-time PBA champion coach but will admit he never aspired to be the top dog on the bench. During his years on Jacobs’ staff, he absorbed everything he could, not realizing someday, a head coaching career would beckon. Uichico now has a chance to share his experience with Alapag.

“Jimmy has great knowledge of the game,” said Uichico. “Just like when he was playing, he’s very open, easy to get along with, has a positive attitude but demands a high standard of work ethic. One thing that is noticeable right away is the energetic vibes at practice.”

Uichico led NLEX to pole position with a 10-2 record at the end of the elims last conference but the Road Warriors bowed to No. 8 TNT in the quarters despite a twice-to-beat advantage. Since Alapag’s takeover, NLEX has improved dramatically in key statistical departments from the Commissioner’s Cup, particularly in points allowed from 98.7 to 92.8, paint points from 38.3 to 52, assists from 20.6 to 26.5, rebounds from 49.2 to 62, fastbreak points from 11.3 to 23.3, second chance points from 9.6 to 17.5 and bench points from 26.1 to 53.5.

This conference, Alapag has reactivated Dave Marcelo, started Enoch Valdez every game (after playing only once in the Commissioner’s Cup) and traded Sidney Onwubere for Evan Nelle (recovering from a Grade 1 calf strain). DeQuan Jones may be leading the charge but Robert Bolick, Deschon Winston, Kevin Alas, LJ Gonzales, JB Bahio, Anthony Semerad, Robbie Herndon, Valdez and the rest of the troops are all contributing to the Road Warriors’ surge. Alapag’s influence is clearly making an impact.